The Internet went agog last week at the announcement that J.J. Abrams has been handed the reigns to the Star Wars franchise. This is the sort of insane power grab that, if the territory in question were Western Europe, might cause a second War of the Spanish Succession. Instead, it just produced a lot of nerd-blather. I blathered alongside:

It was announced yesterday that J.J. Abrams has been chosen to helm the as-yet untitled Star Wars sequel, providing unneeded confirmation that no one in Hollywood has any imagination. For those who don’t track these sorts of things, Abrams is also the man behind the recent Star Trekreboot, and is directing the dismally titled Star Trek Into Darkness, which will be loosed upon the unsuspecting public in May. Many nerd outlets have taken issue with the thought of so much dork-power being handed over to one man. In the science fiction universe, the swashbuckling fun of Star Wars has always been balanced by the sobriety of Star Trek—a set-up that ensured harmony throughout the fictional stars. Yesterday’s announcement is tantamount to the dissolution of the Senate by Caesar—or Emperor Palpatine, for that matter.